Record punching machine



R. DOTY Filed March I50, 1945 2 Sheets-She et 1 FIG. 2.

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' ocoo R O T N E V m M U i 5 m n n. n m I n U 8 M n H I 1 4 n 3 n 2 H. i 2 5 4 5 6 7 8 9 I QR. DOTTY BY ATTORNEY May 7, 1946.

c. R. DOTY RECORD PUNCHING MACHINE Filed March 30-, 1945 2 sneets -sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented May 7, 1946 PUNCHING MACHINE Charles R. Doty, Yonkers, N. Y., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 30, 1945, Serial No. 585,586

7 Claims.

This invention relates to record perforating machines and particularly to the type wherein columns of a record are perforated under control of a perforated tape, such as a telegraphic tape.

The main object of the invention is the incorporation of improvements in a tape controlled record perforating system which bring about a very desirable manner of recording numerical data on the perforated record.

To explain how the tape used inthe present improvement is prepared, in another arrange ment which is at the transmitting end of the system, said tape is perforated under control of a perforated record, which record is of the type customarily used as a control element in record controlled accounting and sorting machines. It is desirable in designating numbers in the separate fields of the record to perforate the left hand columns thereof to represent zeros when such columns do not represent significant digits 1-9 of the number. Such zeros are utilized to control and effect proper sorting, and recording upon a sheet and such zeros are also represented in the left hand columns so that it will be certain that no columns of a field are left unperforated. However, in perforating the tape to be used in the present invention under control of such records, it is desirable that the zeros be eliminated and space designations substituted, in order that when the tape is utilized to control a recording machine, such as a typewriter, for example, spaces will appear at the left of the number instead of a series of meaningless zeros. An arrangement to effect recording on the tape in this very desirable manner is shown and claimed in the application of C. R. Doty, Serial No. 578,107, filed February 15,1945.

Suchtapes may be made in the bookkeeping ofiices of various branches and for a centralized accounting system'it is desirable that this information be telegraphically transmitted "from such branches to a central point where the present equipment is located to make duplicate tapes in order that the data be again reproduced upon andtransposed to statistical records and'information from the various sources be tabulated from the records to obtain the desired statistics. At such central point a, tape controlled record perforating machine constructed according to the present invention is utilized and since it is desirable that the fields of the record card'be perforated in the manner in which they were originally, that is to'say, the left hand columns be again perforated to represent zeros, in the present improvement as the space designations which Cir are at the left hand columns of the designated numbers are sensed 0n the tape, conjoint zero perforating-column spacing operations occur in the corresponding columns of the record.

It is, therefore, the main object of the invention to cause, upon sensing predetermined columns of the tape, a digit perforating operation accompanied by a record column spacing operati-on.

Another object of the invention is to suppress column spacing under control of space designations on a tape and effect instead a conjoint column spacing-Zero perforatin operation under control of a setup in the machine.

Another object of the invention is to condition the record perforating apparatus so that zeros are perforated in left hand columns of the record when the corresponding columns of the controlling perforated tape contain space designations.

Another object of the invention is to enable normal record column spacing operations of the record to occur when such are required and to augment such record column spacing operations with zero perforating operations for columns which are at the left of the first significant digit 1-9 of a numerical representing field.

A still further object of the invention is to enable a setup in the record perforating machine so that upon perforating the first column of a field, zero perforating operations will be accompanied by record column spacing operations when corresponding left hand columns of the tape contain space designations.

Another object of the invention is to augment a record column spacing operation by a zero rec- 0rd perforating operation when left hand columns of the tape contain space designations and to render such zero perforating operations ineffective upon sensing the first significant digit of -40 the number.

Another object of the invention is to change the operation of the record perforating machine upon sensing space designations on a tape from a normal record column spacing-non-perforating operation to a record column spacing-zero perslight'modification of the existing apparatus.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which '55 disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig, 1 is a plan view of the record card perforating unit P and diagrammatically showing the electrically connected tape sensing unit T.

Fig, 2 is a fragmentary portion of the tape shown perforated to contain space designations in columns at the left hand of the designated numbers.

Fig. 3 represents a portion of a record card showing the manner in which the left hand card columns are perforated to represent zeros when corresponding tape columns are perforated to represent spaces.

Fig. 4 is the circuit diagram of the electrical instrumentalities involved in the present invention.

General description Before describing in detail the operation of the machines involved in the present invention, it is stated that the record perforating unit P is electrically interconnected with the tape sensing unit T by a cable connection CC.

The construction of the tape sensing unit is shown in detail in Figs. 1-6, inclusive of Patent No. 2,340,801 and the record perforating unit is shown in detail in Figs. l13, inclusive of this patent. For this reason, a detailed description of the construction of such units is not included herein and reference may be had to the patent for such detailed information, if desired.

A general outline of the functional operations will be set forth briefly. The telegraphic tape 25 is advanced one column for each tape sensing and record punching cycle of the apparatus for successively presenting the columns of tape perforations to cyclically operable sensing pins 50 (Fig. 4).

Sensing contacts 52 controlled by pins 50 are operated in different code combinations in accordance with the information sensed on the tape. The sensing contacts ar connected to different translating relays of the group R3RH which relays, as described in Patent No. 2,340,801, selectively control an electrical translating unit. The translating unit and associated contacts are arranged to translate or convert the data or designations sensed in the 5-unit telegraphic code to a statistical code and accordingly selectively energize the punch selecting magnets H5, thereby causing perforations 0n the record to be made in the statistical code.

As explained in the aforementioned Patent No. 2,340,801, data may be represented on the tape 25 to represent alphabetical or numerical data and in the case of perforating the record to represent alphabetical data, one of the punch magnets H5 designated R, X and 0 is energized in combination with one of the digit punch magnets H5 designated 9-I. The present invention is not concerned, however, with representing alphabetical data but solely numerical data, in which case the punch magnets II 5, 9-4 and 0 are selectively energized so as to perforate th columns of the statistical card C as shown in Fig. as the successive tape column are sensed.

The arrangement, whereby the translating unit selectively energizes the digit punch magnets I I5. is set forth in detail in Patent No, 2,340,801 and recourse to this patent may be had for further explanation of the operation of this portion of the machine. However, before going to the description of the operation of the machine in connection with the wiring diagram, it is explained that the record perforating machine also includes a so-called column readout mechanism generally designated by reference numeral I65. Said column readout consists of electrically connected brushes I68 carried by the card carriage of the record perforating machine, one of said brushes cooperating with a common conducting strip I66 and the other of said brushes cooperating with column spaced conducting segments I61 which are wired to plug sockets I69. According to the different column positions of the card carriage the brush I68 will mak contact with the respective segments I61 at such column positions. At selected plugged-up column positions of the column readout, the column spacing of the record card carriage under control of the space designations is suppressed and a punch magnet H5 for perforating at the 0 index point position is energized instead, as will be subsequently explained.

As previously set forth, when a tape is perforated by the record controlled tape punching system shown in detail in the application of C. R. Doty, Serial No. 578,107, filed February 15, 1945, the columns of the tape at the left of the designated numbers are perforated to represent space designations. Sensing of such tape data and transmission over the telegraphic circuit will, in a well known manner, perforate a tape 25 to provide a duplicate tape at the receiving end. When such tape is utilized to control the perforating of a record, it is desirable that as such left hand space designated columns of the tape are sensed a 0 perforating operation is effected in the corresponding columns of the record card C and the card carriage column spaced in the usual manner. Thus, when such record card C controls a record controlled accounting machine the data will be properly recorded on the result sheet, and when used to control a sorting machine, proper record sorting will be carried out.

It is desirable, however, that in certain column positions of the tape the space designations effect a column space operation of the record card and without a zero perforating operation as will be later explained in connection with card columns 13-17 of the record card C. To this end the normal spacing of the card carriage is effected by the following described circuit, generally similar to that in the designated patent. Upon sensing a space code designation in a tape column in which a perforation is made at the 3-code position of the tape, the 3 sensing pin 50 passes through the perforation in the tape and actuates related contacts 52 (Fig. 4) to close the latter. Upon closure of cam contacts C3 a circuit is closed from line 200, through latch contacts CTI, floating cam contacts FC, 03 cam contacts, 3" sensing contacts 52, R5 relay to the other line side 203. Upon subsequent closure of cam contacts C2, a circuit is closed from the line side 200, through latch contacts CTI, floating cam contacts FC, cam contacts C2, normally closed relay contacts R3a, R la, R5a relay contacts now closed due to the previous energization of the R5 relay, Rfib relay contacts now closed, RBc relay contacts now closed, to the space distributing relay RI5 to line 263. A holding circuit is established for this relay through contacts Rl5a and floating cam contacts FC and latch contacts CTI. Contacts Rl5b are now closed to close a circuit from the line 200 through latch contacts CTI, floating cam contacts FC, relay contacts RI 5b now closed,

relay contacts R600 normally closed, to punch magnet I24 to line 203, energizing this magnet and, as is well known, operate the escapement mechanism of thepe'rforating machine to space the card carriage one step to present the next column of the card to the punching station and without perforating the card.

During operation of the escapement mechanism, floating cam contacts FC, as is well known, are opened to break the described holding circuit of the distributing relay RI 5. Of course, the cycle ofoperation of the tape sensing unit brings the nextcolumn of the tape to sensing position and the record column spacing operation is repeated ifthe space designation is on this column of the tape and such function is to be effected. However, in'the assumed example it is desirable to augment the normal spacing operation of the card carriage with a zero perforating operation by perforating such left hand columns of the record card to represent zeros.

In Fig. 2 the first number designated I20 has the three left hand columns perforated to represent space, whereas it is desirable that the corresponding record columns be perforated to rep resent zeros as shown in Fig. 3. At column 1 of the card carriage, circuits are conditioned for this conjoint column spacing and zero perforating operation. At column 1 of the card carriage a circuit is closed from line 200, through R60 relay coil, plug connection I I to colunm 1, segment I61, brush I68, common conducting strip-I66 to line 203, energizing R60 relay. The latter closes its stick contacts R60a and a holding circuit for the relay is afforded by such relay contacts and through DMRa relay contacts'back to line 203. Energization of R60 relay now opens R600 concontacts opens the previously described circuit for energizing'the punch magnet I24 under control of space designations on the tape, and thus column spacing is prevented under control of such designations. Upon sensing a spacedesignation in column 1, RI relay is energized as before to close the Rl5b relay contacts. However, the circuit now extends from RI 5b relay contacts now closed through R6012 relay contacts to the 0 punch magnet M5 to line 203. Energization of such punch magnet I I5 will perforate column 1 at the O index'point position and effect concomitantly, in the usual manner, an operation of the escapement mechanism to space the card carriage to column 2 position. Of course, a cycle of operation of the tape sensing unit occurs to sense the next column of the tape, and RI5 relay is again energized and since the holding circuit for the R60 relay is still maintained this will result in perforating column 2 of the record at the 0 index point position and also space the card to column 3. The tape is also spaced to the next column and the above operation is repeated to perforate column 3 of the record card C to represent 0.

When column 4 of the tape is sensed, in which column it is assumed that the digit 1 is represented, the electrical translating arrangement will now be operative to select the punch magnet H5 designated 1 to perforate column 4 of the record card to represent such digit. However, the energization of such punch magnet will also cause the concomitant energization of the DMR magnet which opens the DMRa relay contacts to break the holding circuit of the R60 relay. This will normalize the circuit to energize punch magnet I2 1 through R800 contacts so that the punch magnet I24 will be energized to effect record column spacing-non-perforating operations when tacts and closes R601) contacts. Opening of R600 subsequent ta'pe columns are perforated to represent a space. Sensing of succeeding columns of the tape then ensue so that card columns 5 and 6 of the record card C are perforated to represent 2 and 0. The first card field of the record card C is now completely perforated and the above operationis repeated for the next number 004500, in which the two left hand card columns are perforated to represent zeros; This is initiated by the plug connection III which, at card column 7, again energizes the R60 relay to enable, for the twoleft hand card columns 7 and 8, a spacing of the card carriage and the perforating of such card columns to represent zeros.

Upon completion of punching of the" second card field the card carriage spaces to column I 3 position at which time a space designation on the tape is sensed. Since no plug connection is made fro'rn'columnl3 of the readout I65 like plug connections I70 and HI, Rfillfrlay will'not be energized at column 13. *Thereupon, sensing of a space designation willfthrough the circuit previously described in detail, cause'the energization of the R15 space distributing relay and the latter closes its contacts Rl5b to cause the energization of the punch magnet I24 alone, i. e., there occurs no concomitant energization of the punch magnets II5. Hence, the card carriage idly is spaced to column 14 without a perforating operation and the spacing operations are repeated for columns 14, 15, 16 and 17. This shows that when desired normal spacing-non-perforating operations of the punching machine can be effected when space designations are sensed on the tape. 1

While one arrangement has been shown for selective conditioning the circuits to change a column spacing-non-perforating operation to a column spacing-zero perforating operation which is eration to any other form of operation in the card perforating machine.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention, as appliedto a single modification, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made .by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims:

What is claimed is:

1. In a record perforating system controlled by a tape in which one or more columns at the left of the column representing the highest ordered significant digit l-9 of a number are perforated to represent space, means for sensing the space and digit representing perforations 1-9 and 0 in said tape, and a record perforating means controlled by said sensing means for perforating left hand columns of a record to represent 0 for each space representation and to represent digits 1-9 and 0 of the number represented on the tape in succeeding columns of the record.

2. In a record perforating system controlled by a tape in which one or more columns at the left of the column representing the highest ordered significant digit 1-9 of a number are perforated to represent space, means for analyzing the space and digit 1-9 and representing perforations in said tape, record perforating means controlled by said analyzing means for perforating columns of a record to represent digits l-9 and 0 of a number, and means responsive to the analysis of the first of said space representation and each succeeding space representation for causing the operation of said record perforating means to perforate corresponding columns of the record to represent 0.

3. In a record perforating system controlled by a tape in which one or more columns at the left of the column representing the highest ordered significant digit 1-9 of a number are perforated to represent space, means for sensing the space and digit 19 and 0 representing perforations in said tape, record perforating means controlled by said sensing means for perforating columns of a record to represent digits 1-9 and 0 of a number, means to condition the record perforating means to perforate a 0 for each of the columns of said record, and means responsive to the sensing of each space representation on a tape for rendering the preceding means operable to perforate corresponding record columns to represent 0.

4. In a record perforating system controlled by a tape in which one or more columns at the left of the column representing the highest ordered significant digit 1-9 of a number are perforated to represent space, means for sensing the space and digit l-9 and 0 representing perforations in said tape, a record perforating means controlled by said sensing means for perforating columns of a record to represent digits 1-9 and 0 of a number, means operable when the first column of a record field is to be perforated to condition the perforating means to perforate each of the columns of the record to represent 0, and means controlled by said sensing means upon sensing the first space representation and each succeeding one for rendering the preceding means effective to perforate corresponding record columns to represent 0.

the space and digit 1-9 and 0 representing perforations in said tape, record perforating machine controlled by sensing means for perforating columns of a record to represent digits 1-9 and 0 of a number, said perforating machine including a column spacing means operable upon perforating digit representations 1-9 and 0 and also op erable under control of said space representations, means to condition said perforating machine to suppress column spacing under control of space representations in said left hand columns and to condition the machine to perforate 0, and means controlled by said sensing means to render the preceding means operable when each of said space representations is sensed to perforate corresponding record columns to represent 0 accompanied by operation of the column spacing means.

6. In a record perforating system controlled by a tape in which one or more columns at the left of the column representing the.highest ordered significant digit 1-9 of a number are perforated to represent space, means for sensing the space and digit representing perforations 1-9 and 0 in said tape, record perforating means controlled by said sensing means for perforating columns of a record to represent digits 1-9 and 0 of a number, and means for effecting a 0 record perforating operation and an accompanying record column spacing operation which latter is independent of control by a space representation for each of said left hand space representations sensed.

7. In a record perforating machine controlled by a tape having space and digit representations, record perforating means including column spacing means, tape sensing means, means controlled by said tape sensing means upon sensing space representations to effect operation of said column spacing means without operation of said record perforating means, and means controlled by said sensing means upon sensing space representations at the left of the column representing the highest ordered significant digit 1-9 for effecting operation of said column spacing means and conjoint operation of said perforating means to perforate corresponding record columns to represent 0.

CHARLES R. DOTY. 

